Biologically unique subtype of Alzheimer’s may be caused by gut infection

Researchers believe they have found a biologically unique subtype of Alzheimer’s that may affect 25% to 45% of people with this disease. This subtype may be caused by a lingering gut infection by a common virus that most people are exposed to during their lifetimes.

Dr. Ben Readhead, Associate Research Professor at ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss this study and its findings.

Dr. Readhead said the virus may travel from the gut via the vagus nerve to the brain, where it can change the immune system and cause other changes related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Readhead and the research team believe this subtype of Alzheimer’s may be a candidate for antiviral treatments. They’re currently working on developing a blood test to identify people with an active infection with this virus and who might benefit from antiviral medication.

How does it get from the gut up to the brain, and why does it do the damage it does?

“We are doing additional studies,” said Dr. Readhead. “One thing we do see is evidence of the virus in the vagus nerve. It’s an informational super highway. It’s going up to the brain and coming down to regulate all sorts of bodily functions.”

“We look inside the nerve tissue samples from the same people that saw the virus. There it’s consistent with its traveling,” said Dr. Readhead.  

Dr. Readhead said they have done some studies looking at the microscopic brain in the systems. When they look at the virus, they see it accelerates the production of the proteins, a clue that it is plausible.